MCC Baseball Splits Doubleheader With Faulkner State

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Eagles returned to the baseball diamond Saturday afternoon at Scaggs Field and came away with a doubleheader split (3-7, 3-2) against Faulkner State Community College. MCC moved its 2013 record to 4-2 after the split, while the Sun Chiefs are now 2-1 for the season.

MCC is scheduled to return to Scaggs Field Tuesday night at 6 p.m. in a single game against Bossier Parrish.

Faulkner State 7

MCC 3

The Eagles opened an early 3-0 lead, but the Sun Chiefs were able to battle back to secure the four-run victory. MCC opened the first game with a run in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Charles Morton that scored Paul Angel to give the Eagles the 1-0 lead. MCC continued to build its lead in the second inning with a pair of runs to make the score 3-0. One run in the frame scored on an error by Faulkner State, while the second run scored on a sacrifice fly by Angel to give MCC a three-run lead.

Faulkner State answered the early runs by the Eagles with a pair of runs in the fourth inning to cut the MCC lead to 3-2. Brandon Bolivar delivered a two-run double for the Sun Chiefs, but the MCC lead would be erased in the top of the fifth inning. Troy Brown tied the game with one out in the top of the fifth inning on a double and Taylor Nichols gave the Sun Chiefs the lead moments later. Nichols gave Faulkner State a 5-3 on a two-run single to left field and the visitors would later add a pair of runs in the sixth inning to take the victory.

Mac Seibert and Dallas Hannah led the Eagles in game one with a pair of hits, while Johnathan Youngblood added a single. Brandon Smith (0-1) took the pitching loss on the mound for the Eagles after working into the fifth inning.


MCC 3

Faulkner State 2

MCC fought back in game two to salvage the split behind a brilliant pitching performance from sophomore Mitchell Babb. The Ole Miss signee worked six strong innings and collected six strikeouts to improve his pitching record to 2-0.

Faulkner State scored its only run off of Babb in the top of the third inning on a solo home run by Jansen Boeschen to make the score 1-0. MCC answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning on a two-run single by Kevin Hall to give MCC a 2-1 lead. Both team remained silent for much of the game until MCC added a very important insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning to make the score 3-1 in favor of the green and white.

Ben Gann delivered a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Morton to give MCC a two-run lead going into the final inning. Faulkner State scored one run in the top of the seventh inning, but relief pitcher Kellon Hibbard was able to hold on for his first save of the season for MCC.

Morton led the way at the plate in the second game for the Eagles with a pair of hit, while Youngblood added a single.